SYDNEY, March 6 - Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday that three Australian defence personnel were on board a United States submarine that fired the torpedo which sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean earlier this week. Albanese emphasized that the Australian personnel did not take part in the attack.
The strike occurred off the southern coast of Sri Lanka and, according to the prime minister's account, marked the first time since World War Two that the United States has sunk an enemy vessel with a torpedo. Sri Lankan authorities recovered the bodies of 87 sailors from the incident.
Albanese told Sky News the three Australians were present on the submarine as part of training connected to the AUKUS defence pact between Australia, the United States and Britain. The AUKUS arrangement is intended to assist Australia in acquiring and building nuclear-powered submarines.
Addressing concerns about Australia's role, Albanese said no Australian personnel have participated in any offensive action against Iran. He described the Australians' presence as part of "long-standing third country arrangements that have been in place for a long period of time."
Australia, which maintains a close alliance with the United States, has formally ruled out taking a military role in the conflict. The government has said it would support international efforts aimed at preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.
The incident comes amid a broader escalation in the Middle East. On Thursday, U.S. and Israeli jets struck multiple locations across Iran, and Gulf cities experienced renewed bombardment, according to reports of the unfolding conflict.
Albanese's comments seek to clarify the nature of Australian involvement following the sinking and to underline Canberra's position of non-participation in offensive operations. The prime minister also reiterated the training context for the Australian personnel aboard the U.S. submarine.
Contextual note: Reporting indicates the sinking took place in the Indian Ocean off Sri Lanka's southern coast. Sri Lankan authorities recovered 87 bodies. The presence of Australian defence personnel on the submarine is linked to AUKUS training exchanges; Australian officials state those personnel did not engage in the attack.